FR1 Lite Sport Pedal Fishing Boat

ABSTRACT

A lightweight, one person, square or pointed stern, canoe style fiberglass boat that is rigged for fishing and engineered to use an electric trolling motor having pedal steering and a roomy and comfortable cockpit with a padded seat, hands free tiller control pedals, a built in live well and an insulated cooler.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/027,542 filed Jul. 22, 2014, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “FR1 Lite Sport Pedal Fishing Boat,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of outdoor sporting equipment, and more specifically to the field of fishing boats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for fishing boats. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,630 to Garfield A. Wood, Jr. describes a fishing boat for use with a pair of electrically powered fishing motors. The boat hull has double end bottom running surfaces and a bottom pod extending below the running surfaces between the bow and the stern of the hull along the center line of the hull. The pod is shaped to receive an electrical power source for the motors, having a longitudinal dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the pod. Each of the dimensions are less than the corresponding dimensions of the boat hull. The boat hull has a first well molded into the bottom thereof, between the bow and the adjacent end of the pod along the center line of the hull. The boat hull has a second well molded into the bottom thereof, between the stern and the other end of the pod along the center line of the hull. The boat includes a removably mounted electrically powered fishing motor in each of the first and second wells in the bottom of the boat hull. Electrical connections are provided for electrically connecting the electrically powered fishing motors for joint and selective operation thereof, as well as structure for mechanically connecting the electrically powered fishing motors for controlling the direction of movement of the fishing boat.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,561 to Walter V. Price et al describes a boat especially adapted for maneuvering in confined areas to facilitate fishing in such areas. The boat includes a hull having water flow channels formed on opposite sides of the bottom of the hull. Screw or propeller assemblies are positioned in each of the water channels for effecting propulsion and steering of the boat. The propeller assemblies are electrically powered with power being supplied through a pair of rheostat controls disposed at opposite gunwales of the boat. The electrical circuitry includes means for reversing the direction in which a propeller or screw included in each propeller assembly is driven and for controlling the rate at which each propeller or screw is driven in rotation. Knee actuated levers are preferably disposed inboard of the boat adjacent a fisherman's seat to facilitate control of the speed at which each of the propeller assemblies is driven.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,481 to Gilbert G. Mansell describes a fishing boat for use with an electrically powered fishing motor wherein the hull of the boat has an opening in the bottom thereof in proximity with the bow of the boat and a solid wall housing extends upwardly from the hull opening. The fishing motor is supported by the top of the solid wall housing in such a manner that the motor is raised above the bottom of the hull into the well formed by the solid wall housing when the boat is being moved from one fishing location to another. The fishing motor is lowered into operating position and turned in any desired direction to maneuver the boat while the boat is being used for fishing.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, one person, square or pointed stern, canoe style fiberglass boat that is rigged for fishing and engineered to use an electric trolling motor and having pedal steering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional top down diagonal view of the present invention launched in a body of water.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative prototypical side view of an electric trolling motor with steering cables that are connected to steering pedal pads.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative prototypical top down diagonal view showing rod holders and foot pedals located on both sides of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative prototypical top down close up view showing a control box with a speed adjustable knob and gear switches for forward, neutral and reverse movement.

FIG. 5 is a top down view of one embodiment of the fishing boat of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top down view of an alternative embodiment of the fishing boat of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the floor or sole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The sport of fishing offers something for everyone. Some anglers enjoy the physical activity of fly fishing or surf fishing which are two forms of fishing that place an angler in water, where a considerable element of athleticism is required instead of extreme patience. Some anglers prefer quiet contemplation afforded by slow and steady pier fishing, where one casts out a baited rig and then waits for long periods while often enjoying a cold beer or two. Still others enjoy trolling or casting from a boat which is surely a favored alternative on a lake, estuary, large pond, or big river. In each case, fishing puts individuals into a natural world and gives them a reason to consider things from a fish's point of view. A day's fishing forces one to slow down, leave the frantic pace of human society behind for a while, and focus on a seemingly simple matter of catching a fish instead of one's concerns and problems. A day's fishing forces the mind, like a river flowing smoothly between banks, into a channel of concentration and enjoyment. Add to this mental benefit, the fact that one may catch their supper or a record size fish and the appeal of fishing is easy to understand.

Fishing from a boat gives the angler better water coverage and better odds for success. The expense of buying, maintaining and operating an outboard fishing boat, such as a fourteen foot jonboat or a twenty one foot V hull with a cuddy cabin, is out of the question for many anglers. Single handedly launching and trailering such a craft is a real challenge. With conventional and gasoline powered two stroke outboards, there is an additional problem that the gas motor pollutes the water with gas and oil. What a solo angler needs is a craft that is easy to launch and retrieve and transports the angler to desired locations with minimal effort and no pollution.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the FR1 Lite Sport Pedal Fishing Boat, FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat, or the FR1, is a lightweight, one person, fiberglass boat that is rigged for fishing and engineered to use an electric trolling motor. In one embodiment, the boat has a square stern, as shown in FIG. 5. In an alternative embodiment, the boat has a pointed stern, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Easily managed by a single angler and environmentally friendly, the FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat is emission free, the perfect craft for no impact fishing on rivers, lakes, estuaries, reservoirs, or ponds. The FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat is suitable for car topping or light trailering.

Please refer to the figures. The FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat measures approximately nine and one half feet in Length Over All or LOA, forty seven inches in beam, and fourteen inches in keel to gunwale depth at her deepest point. Please refer to FIG. 5. The shallow draft fiberglass hull has a square transom 22 underneath which an electric trolling motor 25 is mounted. The electric trolling motor 25 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The steering system of the FR1 is cable and pulley design with starboard and port foot pedals 26 which leave the angler's hands free for other matters. A padded seat 28, just forward of the transom 22, accommodates the operating occupant whose feet reach the steering pedals 26 from a seated position. The steering pedals 26 are situated adjustably on each side of a rectangular, insulated live well tank 32 forward of the seat 28. The tank 32 measures approximately twenty four inches in length, twelve inches in width and twelve inches in depth.

Immediately forward of the live well tank 32 is a built in, removable ice chest or cooler 34. A short tapering quarter deck extends forward from the ice chest 34 to a bow stern 36. The bow stern 36 is fitted with a through bolt, stainless steel bow eye. Both bow stern 36 and stern 38 decks are equipped with running lights 42 namely, stern light 42 and bow light 42. These lights 42 are powered by the same approximately twelve volt battery that powers the trolling motor 25. A battery box 46 is situated aft of the stern seat 28. Hand controls in control box 48 for the motor are situated on the port side, easily within reach of the seated operator, shown in FIG. 4. These controls include a throttle knob 52 and a gear lever 54 for shifting the motor into Forward, Reverse, and Neutral. Control box 48 also has an on/off switch 58 for turning the running lights 42 on and off.

Molded cup holders 62 and rod holders 64 are spaced at intervals along each gunwale 66. The cockpit of the FR1 has a marine plywood floor 72 or sole that is removable and covered with indoor outdoor carpeting.

The floor is a trapezoid shape and measures approximately 38 inches in width at its widest point, tapering to approximately 36 inches at its narrowest point, and is approximately 32 inches in length. The basic FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat package includes a boat paddle, a Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device or life jacket, a Coast Guard approved throwable boat cushion, a manual bilge pump and a bow line with snap shackle. Components and accessories that are optional and suitable selections with the FR1 include a Minn Kota Endura C2 30 trolling motor, a lightweight single axle trailer or a car topping carrier.

The cockpit of the FR1 is roomy and comfortable with a padded seat 28, hands free tiller control pedals 26, a built in live well 32 and an insulated cooler 34. The shallow draft and tapered bow of the FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat enables an angler to get into shoal areas unaccessible to larger boats and to maneuver easily over and through weed beds where fish like bass lie. With its electric trolling motor 25, the FR1 is virtually silent, perfect for trolling or approaching casting lies. In terms of maintenance, the fiberglass hull of the FR1 requires nothing beyond an occasional coat of boat wax and a tarp cover in the winter. By relying on propulsion with an electric trolling motor or a paddle, the FR1 Lite Sport Fishing Boat produces no atmospheric emissions and leaves no gas or oil in the water. Affordable and durably constructed, The FR1 provides many years of functional service for solo anglers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A lightweight, one person, fiberglass boat that is rigged for fishing comprising: a shallow draft fiberglass hull has a square transom, an electric trolling motor mounted underneath the transom, a steering system of cable and pulley design with starboard and port foot pedals, a padded seat mounted forward of the transom, wherein an operator's feet reach the pedals from a seated position, wherein the pedals are situated adjustably on each side of a rectangular, insulated live well tank, wherein the live well tank is situated forward of the seat, further comprising a battery box is situated aft of the seat, further comprising hand controls in a control box situated on the port side for controlling the motor, wherein the control box includes a throttle knob, a gear lever for shifting the motor into Forward, Reverse, and Neutral.
 2. The boat of claim 1, further comprising a removable ice chest or cooler located immediately forward of the live well tank.
 3. The boat of claim 1 wherein the stern is square.
 4. The boat of claim 1 wherein the stern is pointed.
 5. The boat of claim 1 further comprising a stern light and a bow light, and further comprising an on/off switch located on the control box for turning the running lights on and off.
 6. The boat of claim 1, further comprising one or more molded cup holders.
 7. The boat of claim 1, further comprising two or more rod holders spaced at intervals along each gunwale.
 8. The boat of claim 1, further comprising a floor comprising marine plywood wherein the floor is removable.
 9. The boat of claim 8, wherein the floor is covered with indoor outdoor carpeting.
 10. The boat of claim 8, wherein the floor is a trapezoid shape and measures approximately 38 inches in width at its widest point, tapering to approximately 36 inches at its narrowest point, and is approximately 32 inches in length.
 11. The boat of claim 1 wherein the boat measures approximately nine and one half feet in Length Over All or LOA, forty seven inches in beam, and fourteen inches in keel to gunwale depth at her deepest point.
 12. The boat of claim 1, further comprising a boat paddle, a Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device or life jacket, a Coast Guard approved throwable boat cushion, a manual bilge pump and a bow line with snap shackle.
 13. The boat of claim 1 wherein the motor is a Minn Kota Endura C2 30 trolling motor.
 14. The boat of claim 1, wherein the live well tank measures approximately twenty four inches in length, twelve inches in width and twelve inches in depth. 